The Chelsea striker has earned two bookings in four Premier League games since joining the club in the summer and Mourinho believes neither was fair.

Costa’s first caution was for an alleged dive against Burnley in the opening game of the season and the second yellow was brandished when he reacted to sustained provocation from Seamus Coleman and his Everton pals two games later.

Mourinho said: “The whole idea of Diego’s feisty approach is a completely fake point. Maybe it’s a point based upon previous seasons, not what happened here.

(Image: PA)

“Here he got the right advice, the right education, and yet he got two yellow cards.

“One is completely unfair, because it was a penalty. The second one was because he was provoked for the whole game and he had a little reaction.

“He’s being completely fair, giving zero problems to referees and behaving very well and playing his football.

“The referees are there to see the provocation. Diego is trying to play. He’s not afraid of aggressive opponents. He doesn’t let other players intimidate him.

(Image: Action Images)

“He’s not there to provoke, he’s there to play football and score goals.”

Mourinho has been delighted with the way both Costa and fellow Stamford Bridge new boy Cesc Fabregas have settled in so quickly at Chelsea.

Laughing, the Portuguese added: “When Cesc was at Arsenal he was always fighting Chelsea and now he plays for us.